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Still relevant parts of the most recent emailed circulars are reproduced below, along with a developing Draft of the next, but check out the Diary for full listings.
Circulars dated:   15/12/14   1/12/14   19/11/14

An email circulation list with currently over 1500 contacts provides regular information on folk events across southern Devon roughly within a 30 mile radius as the crow flies of Totnes. The e-circulars are sent on a regular basis, usually one every 7-14 days, not more than one per week apart from exceptional circumstances (and never with any attachments).

Since the end of November 2013 the circulation has been run using the MailChimp service which allows you to subscribe / unsubscribe automatically.
Please use the following form to Subscribe. After completing the form initially, you will be asked to complete the subscription process by clicking a link in an email MailChimp will send you. It's as simple as that.

After nearly a month of minor chaos caused by two laptop failures I'm hoping to do major website updates and a new e-circular early in the week beginning 26th January. JC

Recent Circulars

After nearly a month of minor chaos caused by two laptop failures I'm hoping to do major website updates and a new e-circular early in the week beginning 26th January. JCNEW UPDATED Cancelled

date next

DRAFT NEXT Harberton Folk Circular - ??day ?? January 2015
Only a selection of events follows below - a combination of new listings, some many months ahead to note in your diary, and reminders for other previously listed events in the more immediate future.
The full open-ended southern Devon Folk Diary listings appear on www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
All information is given in good faith but no responsibility can be accepted for its accuracy. Do check with the organiser before setting out on a long journey. A listing below does not guarantee that tickets are still available.
Should you no longer wish to receive these circulars, there is an Unsubscribe link at the foot of this email.

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UPDATED Saturday 7 February 2015 8pm - Jackie Oates with James Dumbleton - Ley Arms Folk & Acoustic Music Club, Ley Arms, Kenn nr Exeter EX6 7UW (map)
Winner of the 2009 BBC Radio 2 Horizon award and 2009 BBC Radio 2 Best Traditional Track award. Jackie has released several highly-acclaimed albums. Her latest, Lullabies, is now available. She has a distinctive voice of pure clarity and is an excellent fiddle player, performing mainly traditional folk songs and tunes. She is an established member of the all-star multi-cultural folk band, The Imagined Village, alongside Martin and Eliza Carthy, among others. She has toured as support to Mercury-nominated folk/pop star, Seth Lakeman. In the past she has performed with local artists such as Andy Clarke and Steve Turner, as part of Wistman's Wood and Ed Rennie. For this perforrmance, she is teaming up with talented multi-instrumentalist James Dumbleton. www.jackieoates.co.uk. Info / ticket reservations contact leyarmsfolk@hotmail.co.uk or 01392 210983 (The Cornelius Family). Adv £10, £12 door.

Sunday 8 February 2015 7.45pm - Jackie Oates - Folk on the Moor, Westward Inn, Lee Mill, Ivybridge PL21 9EE (map)
Since her appearance at the BBC Young Folk Awards a decade ago, adopted Devonian Jackie's career has gone from strength to strength. With an exceptionally pure voice and a host of highly-lauded albums to her name, another sell-out audience is guaranteed, so be sure to book! £10/£8 (members). For further information or to reserve a seat visit www.moorfolk.co.uk.

Harberton Circular – Monday 12 January 2015
Thursday 29 January 2015 8pm - Southern Tenant Folk Union - The Watermark, Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge PL21 0SZ (map)
One of the most highly acclaimed folk/bluegrass bands in the UK today. A six piece acoustic with banjo, mandolin, fiddle & harmony vocals they perform an eclectic mix of high energy atmosphere folk and have received airplay from Bob Harris & Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 2. Full details, ticketing etc. www.ivybridgewatermark.co.uk/stfu. Box office 01752 892220.
Friday 30 January 2015 - Acoustic Haven: The Adventurists - St John's Church, Bridgetown, Totnes TQ9 5AD (map)
Details www.wegottickets.com/event/301887.
Thursday 5 February 2015 8pm - Jeffrey Foucault - Bridge Inn, Topsham EX3 0QQ
Ten years back the young Winsconsin native Jeffrey Foucault first hove into view touring with Chris Smither. Since that time his stark tales about what he calls 'love, memory, God, desire, wilderness and loss', have made him one of the outstanding new voices in Americana music. A young man with an old soul, poducing music that's contemporary and timeless, Jeffrey Foucault has a rare talent in that he manages to tap into the very heart beat of life. Tickets £12 from the Bridge 01392 873862.
Friday 6 February 2015 8pm - Jeffrey Foucault - Upstairs at Crown & Sceptre, 2 Petitor Road, St Marychurch, TQ1 4QA
The New York Times writes: "Jeffrey Foucault, sings stark, literate songs that are as wide open as the landscape of his native Midwest," while Uncut magazine writes, "The music of Wisconsin native Foucault is the kind so many aspire to but never attain: beat-up troubadour folk whittled to dolorous perfection." Tickets £12 adv from venue or call 01803 328290, £13 door.
Saturday 7 February 2015 8pm Jackie Oates with James Dumbleton - Ley Arms Folk & Acoustic Music Club, Ley Arms, Kenn, nr Exeter EX6 7UW
Winner of the 2009 BBC Radio 2 Horizon award and 2009 BBC Radio 2 Best Traditional Track award. Jackie has released several highly-acclaimed albums. Her latest, Lullabies, is now available. She has a distinctive voice of pure clarity and is an excellent fiddle player, performing mainly traditional folk songs and tunes. She is an established member of the all-star multi-cultural folk band, The Imagined Village, alongside Martin and Eliza Carthy, among others. She has toured as support to Mercury-nominated folk/pop star, Seth Lakeman. In the past she has performed with local artists such as Andy Clarke and Steve Turner, as part of Wistman's Wood and Ed Rennie. For this perforrmance, she is teaming up with talented multi-instrumentalist James Dumbleton. www.jackieoates.co.uk Support: Alan Rosevear. Info / ticket reservations contact leyarmsfolk@hotmail.co.uk or 01392 210983 (The Cornelius Family). £10 adv, £12 door.
Friday 13 February 2015 - Jim Boyes & Belinda O’Hooley - Calstock Arts, The Old Chapel, Sand Lane, Calstock PL18 9QX (map)
'Sensations of a Wound': Jim Boyes, part of the critically acclaimed a cappella trio Coope Boyes & Simpson, pays tribute to his grandfather’s journey through the First World War through image and song, accompanied by Belinda O’Hooley on piano. Details www.calstockarts.org.
Thursday 26 February 2015 - Kris Drever - Calstock Arts, The Old Chapel, Sand Lane, Calstock PL18 9QX (map)
Widely admired as both a solo artist and member of Folk superstars Lau, Kris is a phenomenal singer and guitarist. Pre-show supper available. Details www.calstockarts.org.
Coming soon at Calstock Arts:
Friday 27 March: Gallery Bar Special with Nicky Swann & The Freeloaders
Saturday 4 April: Andy Cutting
Friday 17 April: Gallery Bar Special with Geoff Lakeman
Saturday 25 April: Four Parts Guitar – Gordon Giltrap, John Etheridge, Clive Carroll, Raymond Burley
Friday 27 February - Sunday 1 March 2015 - IVFDF 2015 - Exeter University Streatham Rise, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QJ
The Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival is the country’s longest continually running folk festival. We warmly welcome folkies from around the globe and we really hope you’ll be there too! The Festival is particularly aimed at students, but it is open to everyone. Whatever style you go for, there will be something to suit you from our wide range of dances, ceilidhs, workshops, concerts, sessions and morris tour. Included in the dancing there will be Ceilidhs, Scottish Country, Contra, Morris, Rapper Sword, Irish Set, French, Bal, Historical and Playford and many, more. Full details www.ivfdf2015.org.uk. Headlining: Nancy Kerr and The Sweet Visitor Band - Blackbeard’s Tea Party - Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman - Buffalo Gals Stampede -- Panjandrum + Gordon Potts - Tickled Pink + Nick Walden - Vertical Expression + Linda Leslie - Fraich‘Airs – Greg Russell - Pigs Might Fly + Seonaid Scott
Saturday 28 February 2015 7pm - Plymouth Morris Men's 45th Annual Ceilidh with Moon Stone Ceilidh Band - Woolwell Community Centre, Plymouth PL6 7TR
Tickets £8 (includes a pasty) from John Summerscales email j.summerscales@plymouth.ac.uk, or text to 07753 568733.
Saturday 28 February 2015 7pm - Sandford Village Hall Ceilidh - Sandford, nr Crediton EX17 4LN
Family friendly event, all ages welcome. BYO food, beverages and laughter. Adv tickets from Jo 07977 036428 or risk buying on door. £4 pp, £15 family. Live music from John Richards and Franscica Van Holthoon and Co. Their fee is donated to Second Sight charity.
Friday 13 March 2015 8pm - Bill Kirchen - Globe Hotel, Topsham EX3 0HR
One of the fortunate few who can step onto any stage, play those trademark licks that drove his seminal Commander Cody classic Hot Rod Lincoln into the Top Ten, and elicit instant recognition for a career that has spanned over 40 years and includes guitar work with Nick Lowe, Emmylou Harris, Doug Sahm, Elvis Costello and many more. Named “A Titan of the Telecaster” by Guitar Player Magazine, he celebrates an American musical tradition where rock 'n' roll and country music draws upon its origins in blues and bluegrass, Western swing from Texas and California honky-tonk. What more is there to be said ? Tickets £12.50 from Topsham Books (01392) 877895
Friday 20 March 2015 8pm - Barron Brady - Ley Arms Folk & Acoustic Music Club, Ley Arms, Kenn, nr Exeter EX6 7UW
Exciting and talented duo blending traditional and self-penned material and combining Simon Barron's songwriting and Ros Brady's poetry. Their material is largely based on rural-Devon legends and stories beautifully sung against the backdrop of Simon's excellent guitar playing as well as atmospheric whistles and harmonium from Ros. They always give a very professional and polished show that is both lively and heartfelt. http://barronbrady.com/home.html Support: tba Info / ticket reservations contact leyarmsfolk@hotmail.co.uk or 01392 210983 (The Cornelius Family). £8 adv, £10 door.
Saturday 21 March 2015 8pm - Jiggerypipery - Buccaneers Bar, East St. Crediton
Celtic Rock & Roll. All who have seen Jiggerypipery, over the last five years, have been knocked out by their truly exciting blend of self composed and traditional tunes, arranged into "a top notch display of musical alchemy". If you want to have a “wild old time” and be enthralled by the dynamic arrangements and skilful renditions of great dance-tunes, then Jiggerypipery are the band for you.
Saturday 21 March 2015 7.30pm - Tom McConville - Cygnet Theatre Exeter
Few contemporary Fiddle players can conjure a sound as diverse and thrilling as Tom McConville. As if aged like a fine whiskey, the traditional sounds of Newcastle, Scotland, Ireland and America are fused with Classical, Jazz, Bluegrass and folk influences, and the results are timeless. Tom’s playing and singing acts like a history lesson of traditional folk music and storytelling shared with an inimitable sense of humour and style. “One of the greatest violinists I’ve ever heard and by far the biggest influence in my music. A true master” Seth Lakeman. Winner of the BBC folk musician of the year 2009, Tom is internationally renowned for his impassioned and dynamic performances. Tom’s ground breaking fiddle playing has led him to be a huge influence on his contemporaries, and an indispensable collaborator, consistently in high demand. Wren & Cygnet Double Bill event. Box Office 01392 277189
Shammick Acoustic in North Devon
Shammick Acoustic's full programme of guest and open nights for 2015 is now available on www.shammickacoustic.org.uk.
Wren Music is seeking Additional Musicians as Music Leaders
Wren Music is seeking to recruit additional musicians to join its music leaders to help deliver its expanding programme of participatory music. If you are a skilful musician with a love of folk music and a commitment to living and working in Devon please get in touch. Only get in touch if you are committed to sharing your talents with people of all ages in different community settings. Wren Music supports musicians in their continuing professional develop, and wants people who can demonstrate a commitment to the sector and a willingness to work collaboratively with the Wren Music team. Please send us a letter explaining why you want to work with us, with CV and contact details for two people for whom you have recently worked as a music leader. Closing date Friday 6th February 2015 Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a recruitment day on Friday 13th February 2015 in Okehampton. Send your letter to Marilyn Tucker, Wren Music, Ebenezer Hall, North Street, Okehampton EX20 1AR
Postal applications only as Wren is relocating and email will be disrupted during this period. Tel: 01837 53754 Find out more about Wren Music here: www.wrenmusic.co.uk. Wren Music is a company limited by guarantee Registered in England
 

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15/12/14

Harberton Folk Circular - Monday 15 December 2014
Only a selection of events follows below - a combination of new listings, some many months ahead to note in your diary, and reminders for other previously listed events in the more immediate future.
The full open-ended southern Devon Folk Diary listings appear on www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
All information is given in good faith but no responsibility can be accepted for its accuracy. Do check with the organiser before setting out on a long journey. A listing below does not guarantee that tickets are still available.

***** Looking for Christmas present ideas? *****
Sunday 22 February 2015 7.30pm - Steve Knightley
Saturday 7 March 2015 7.45pm - Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman
Full ticketing details on www.harbertonfolk.co.uk
***** How about tickets for these two Harberton Cricket Club concerts at Harberton Parish Hall, nr Totnes *****

NEW Wednesday 15 February 2015 - Hudson Taylor - Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street EX4 3LS (map)
Inspired and with the jangle of one of Whelan’s in Dublin’s legendary open mic folk nights ringing in their ears, native brothers Alfie and Harry Hudson-Taylor left the pub and set up a place to jam on the nearest stoop. It was there that Hudson Taylor was formed – an intimate, lovelorn folk-pop project. www.hudsontaylormusic.com. Full details www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/hudson-taylor. Box Office: 01392 667080.

NEW Sunday 1 March 2015 8pm - Peter Knight's Gigspanner - Beehive Arts Centre, Dowell Street, Honiton EX14 1LZ
Led by Steeleye Span's former legendary fiddle player Peter Knight, Gigspanner flirts audaciously with Eastern European, French, Cajun, African and Aboriginal influences, transporting you with blistering pace on a musical world tour. www.beehivehoniton.co.uk/beehive-events Tickets £14. Box office: 01404 384050.

NEW Friday 6 March 2015 8pm - Mad Dog Mcrea - The Rum Store, Carnglaze Caverns, St Neot, Liskeard (map)
Support: folk rock duo Sounds of the Sirens. Full details www.carnglaze.com/mad-dog-mcrea-plus-sounds-sirens-rum-store-carnglaze-caverns-friday-6th-march-2015-8pm. Tel. 01579 320251

NEW Wednesday 15 April 2015 - Phil Beer - Lustleigh Village Hall
£16. Tickets and enquiries Daf Edwards, 01364 621242, 07957 280129, enquiries@langworthyfarm.co.uk. For details of a 2-day 'Dartmoor break' available in association with this concert see www.langworthyfarm.co.uk / contact Daf.

NEW Saturday 26 September 2015 - Fishermans Friends - Plymouth Pavilions (map)
Details www.plymouthpavilions.com.

NEW Sunday 15 November 2015 - The Waterboys - Plymouth Pavilions (map)
Details www.plymouthpavilions.com.

New Programme for Otterton Mill nr Budleigh Salterton EX9 7HG  (map)
East Devon’s Otterton Mill has just released its Spring 2015 season of acoustic music, held in the intimate environment of its restaurant. Early booking always strongly advised. Full details at www.ottertonmill.com (and in the Harberton Folk website Diary).
The new programme  features: 26/2 The Carrivick Sisters, 12/3 Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston, 19/3 Barb Jungr, 26/3 Michael Messer & Ed Genis, 10/4 Veronica Sbergia & Max de Bernhardi, 23/4 Tia McGraff

31 July to 7 August 2015 - Sidmouth Folk Week
First announcement of headliners, super early bird ticketing (limited numbers) and more at www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk. Join their mailing list for regular updates.

Rachel's - Updated - East Devon Gig Guide for December
is now available to view and as a PDF download at www.harbertonfolk.co.uk/eastdevon.htm.

More in brief - Selection only - Full Diary listings and details on www.harbertonfolk.co.uk
Saturday 17 January - Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell
Saturday 17 January - The Exmouth Shanty Men - Cross Keys Inn, Cawsand
Saturday 17 January - The Annual Stoke Gabriel Wassail
Friday 23 January - Gallery Bar Special: Tavy Tars - Calstock Arts, The Old Chapel, Sand Lane, Calstock
Sunday 25 January - Hayseed Dixie - South Devon Arts Centre, The Stables, Ford Road, Totnes
Sunday 25 January - Donal Maguire - Folk on the Moor, Westward Inn, Lee Mill, Ivybridge
Thursday 29 January - Southern Tenant Folk Union - The Watermark, Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge
Saturday 7 March 2015 - Jamie Smith's Mabon - Plough Arts Centre, Gt. Torrington
Saturday 28 March 2015 - Phil Beer Band - Plough Arts Centre, Gt. Torrington

John Culf
johnculf@harbertondevon.co.uk
www.harbertondevon.co.uk
www.harbertonfolk.co.uk
'Harberton Folk' recommends Plusnet:

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1/12/14

Harberton Folk Circular - Monday 1 December 2014
Only a selection of events follows below - a combination of new listings, some many months ahead to note in your diary, and reminders for other previously listed events in the more immediate future.
The full open-ended southern Devon Folk Diary listings appear on www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
All information is given in good faith but no responsibility can be accepted for its accuracy. Do check with the organiser before setting out on a long journey. A listing below does not guarantee that tickets are still available.

Correction
Thursday 12 March 2015 8pm - John Renbourn & Wizz Jones - Matthews Hall, Topsham, Exeter EX3 0HF (map)
A long way down the road from their beatnik days in St. Ives, two of the greatest folk guitar heroes of our generation, join up for an evening of classic folk and blues, tall tales and reminiscence. John and Wizz will perform together as well as playing solo. A rare opportunity to catch these two legends weaving their unique magic. Tickets £16.50 from Topsham Books 01392 877895 or 01392 873407 (contributor's apologies for incorrect phone no. 877695 given in initial e-circulation).

Feature: World Unlimited / St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD (map)
See www.worldunlimited.co.uk for further information about World Unlimited, a voluntary not-for-profit organisation. Tel. 01803 875527 or email world.unlimited@o2.co.uk. Originally based in Birmingham, WU now regularly promotes concerts in South Devon. Home made cakes and refreshments in the interval; BYO alcohol, glasses available. Here's the current programme to the end of the year:
*****
Saturday 21 February 2015 - Hank Wangford - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD (map)
Country star. Full details www.wegottickets.com/event/296086.
*****
Saturday 28 March 2015 - Lucy Ward - St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell TQ12 5LD (map)
Lucy She plays guitar, ukulele and concertina but considers her voice to be her first instrument. After winning the Best Newcomer Horizon Award at the 2012 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Lucy’s career has gone from strength to strength establishing herself as one of the hottest performers on the UK Folk scene, pulling a capacity audience on her Cambridge Folk Festival debut and gracing the mighty Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury 2013 and the Left Field stage at Glastonbury 2014. 2014 BBC Nominee for Folk Singer of the Year. £10+ adv from www.wegottickets.com/event/299344.
***** All above at St Mary's Parish Church, Kingskerswell  *****

Feature: Acoustic Warehouse Open Mic Music Club (Newsletter), Kingsteignton
at the Passage House Inn, Hackney Lane, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot TQ12 3QH
Following a very successful and enjoyable series of Featured Artist Events, we have extended the programme for a further 6 months. Featured Artists have a ¾ hour set at the end of our Monday night Open Mic Club sessions, finishing as we always have to, at 10.30pm. We always welcome singers/musicians to perform on any club night and we especially welcome visitors who come to listen to the performances. Entrance is still just £1 which includes a raffle ticket. Over the last 2 year since the club started we are all very proud to have raised £1000 for the Rowcroft Hospice Charity. Contact email acoustic.warehouse@gmail or call 01626 362528.
Scheduled programme of Featured Artist Events 2014/15: 15 December – Nigel Dee; 19 January – Rick Lawes; 9 February – Tricia Moore; 16 February – The Cornelius Family; 16 March – Martin Sidebotham; 20 April – Anne Darby; 18 May – Owly Dave

More in brief - Selection only - Full Diary listings and details on www.harbertonfolk.co.uk
Thursday 29 January - Southern Tenant Folk Union - The Watermark, Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge
Saturday 7 February - Jackie Oates with James Dumbleton - Ley Arms Folk & Acoustic Music Club, Ley Arms, Kenn nr Exeter
Sunday 8 February - Jackie Oates - Folk on the Moor, Westward Inn, Lee Mill, Ivybridge
Sunday 15 February - Nancy Kerr & James Fagan - Topsham Folk Club, Matthews Hall, Topsham
Sunday 22 February - Steve Knightley - Harberton Parish Hall, nr Totnes
Sunday 22 February - The Unthanks - Exeter Corn Exchange
Saturday 7 March - Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman - Harberton Parish Hall, nr Totnes

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19/11/14

Harberton Folk Circular - Wednesday 19 November 2014
Only a selection of events follows below - a combination of new listings, some many months ahead to note in your diary, and reminders for other previously listed events in the more immediate future.
The full open-ended southern Devon Folk Diary listings appear on www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
All information is given in good faith but no responsibility can be accepted for its accuracy. Do check with the organiser before setting out on a long journey. A listing below does not guarantee that tickets are still available.

Feature: Topsham Folk Club (nr Exeter)
has just announced its 2015 new year programme of concert nights, all taking place on the following Sundays (8pm start, real ale bar) at Matthews Hall, Topsham EX3 0HF (map)
15 February - Nancy Kerr & James Fagan;  29 March - Andy Cutting; 26 April - Gavin Davenport Band; 17 May - Lady Maisery
plus the following occasional one-hour features spots on singers nights at The Malthouse at the Globe Hotel, Topsham EX3 0HR
11 January - The Claque; 8 March - The Dukes of Jook (Chris Billings & Julian Piper)
Full details www.topshamfolkclub.co.uk.

Feature: Programme from the 'Folk on the Moor' Club, Westward Inn, Lee Mill, Ivybridge PL21 9EE (map)
The club meets weekly every Sunday evening (except August), starting at 7.45pm prompt. Always a great guest list - see below. Entrance prices are given for Club Members. Optional membership fee £10 will take you through to the end of July 2015. Sundays not specified are open nights when admission is just £1 for everyone. For further information or to reserve a seat visit www.moorfolk.co.uk.
*****
Sunday 25 January 2015 7.45pm - Donal Maguire - Folk on the Moor, Westward Inn, Lee Mill, Ivybridge PL21 9EE (map)
Irish born but in England since the age of 15, Donal has embraced traditional and contemporary influences and is renowned both as a fine unaccompanied singer and a talented songwriter/multi-instrumentalist. Witty presentation of a well-balanced programme is assured.
*****
Sunday 8 February 2015 7.45pm - Jackie Oates - Folk on the Moor, Westward Inn, Lee Mill, Ivybridge PL21 9EE (map)
Since her appearance at the BBC Young Folk Awards a decade ago, adopted Devonian Jackie's career has gone from strength to strength. With an exceptionally pure voice and a host of highly-lauded albums to her name, another sell-out audience is guaranteed, so be sure to book!
And there are more fabulous acts to come in 2015:
22 February - Reg Meuross; 8 March - Dan Walsh; 22 March - Tom McConville; 5 April - Brian Willoughby & Katherine Craig; 19 April - Tom Kitching & Bob Davenport; 26 April - Bob Fox; 10 May - Belshazzar's Feast; 24 May - Jez Lowe; 14 June - Archie Fisher; 28 June - Joe Topping; 26 July - Carrivick Sisters
***** All above at Folk on the Moor *****

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Feature: Bradninch
Google Earth tells me Bradninch (2 miles SW of Cullompton) is just within my fairly arbitrarily, and loosely, defined coverage area - "30 miles as the crow flies from Totnes", so here we go...
Bradninch Folk Club www.bradninchevents.org/groups/bradninch-folk-club
Bradninch Folk Club meets on 1st Tuesday (club nights) of the month at the White Lion and on the 3rd Tuesday at the Castle Hotel (guest nights). Coming up:
Tuesday 21 October 8pm - Alex Kumar - Castle Hotel, Bradninch
Exceptional and special, Alex has the spirit and songbook of Dylan and his muse Woody Guthrie to back's his own original song writing. His appearance is as the result of a floor spot he did at the Club in February this year. He was spellbinding then in his performance. True to the promise “With a voice that can only be described as other-worldy, he has the rare ability to captivate and silence an entire room with his mesmeric presence.” Support: visiting and local performers. Entry £4 door. Gerard Edwards 01392 881105.
Bradninch Acoustic Music Club www.bradninchacousticmusicclub.org.
generally has Club nights the second Wednesday of each month, plus some guest nights. Coming up:
Friday 31 October - Jamie Smith's Mabon - The Guildhall, Bradninch
A one-off Extra Special Club night at The Guildhall starring the amazing Jamie Smith's Mabon, for those of you who have seen them they need no introduction,for those who haven’t then this is a big treat to see one of Europe’s finest Festival Bands on tour and stopping off at our little club to do a show. Tickets will be around £10 with concessions to club members and supporters. More details nearer the time. www.bradninchacousticmusicclub.org.
Wednesday 12 November - Club Night - So all floor singers come along and have a good blast.
Wednesday 10 December - Phil Beer and Paul Downes - guests for Xmas Club night at The Guildhall. Tickets £10. Wow what a night.
Bradninch also holds a popular music festival in June, see what happened this year:
www.bradninchevents.org/bradninch-music-festival

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Interesting history of folk sessions in Totnes (from the 1980s to date)
I'm not sure how long it's been there - I've only just happened on it - but a history of folk sessions in various Totnes pubs, compiled by Mick Bramich (with input from others), can be found at www.flaxey-green.co.uk/Pages/Session_History.html.

And into 2015!...
(notes for your diary - all below are details to be confirmed/advised)
Saturday 7 March 2015 - Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman - Harberton Parish Hall nr Totnes
Wednesday 8 April 2015 - Feast Of Fiddles - Exeter Corn Exchange

Replacement East Devon Music Diary
The page entitled "Richie's East Devon Music Diary" on www.harbertonfolk.co.uk was a multi-genre listing originating from Richie Evans who was unfortunately unable to continue offering his service as of 6/8/14. Fortunately the reins have been taken over by Rachel Cockell who invites interested parties to join her email circulation providing a monthly PDF download (and occasional updates). Contact Rachel at exmouthgigguide@gmail.com to be included. Rachel's Gig Guide will also be available to download from www.harbertonfolk.co.uk - September available now.

Feature: Crabshell Records, Kingsbridge
Crabshell Records is a not-for-profit Unincorporated Association. Their cause is to support and encourage traditionally based music played in the area. They can offer a complete CD production service to talented, unsigned musicians who sing and play locally - often in aid of local charities. To enable promotion and sales of your music your CDs will have high quality presentation but at low cost. Their own catalogue currently includes CDs by Vic Wilcox, John Connor, Bull Pitch, Iowa 4, Rumpus, The Old Gaffers, The Storm UK, The Crabshell Concerts 2005-2012. See full details of all CDs and the production services at www.flaxey-green.co.uk/Pages/Crabshell%20Records%20Publications.html.

A publication recommended by a Harberton Folk subscriber
"Singing from the Floor: A History of British Folk Clubs by JP Bean (see www.amazon.co.uk/Singing-Floor-History-British-Clubs/dp/0571305458) (available as paperback or for Kindle). It has a few notable omissions but it is a very familiar evocation of the time. JR"

Some folk information sources for neighbouring areas
(Unfortunately I'm not aware of general folk information resource for Cornwall - Does anyone else know of anything?)
Shammick Acoustic - Includes website www.shammickacoustic.org.uk listings of regular and special events in North Devon and West Somerset.
Sadfolk - Comprehensive coverage of folk events in Somerset & Dorset - website www.sadfolk.co.uk and associated weekly email udpates.
Acoustic Calendar for Wessex - Monthly calendar with email updates of folk clubs, singarounds, acoustic sessions & open mic (i.e. not concerts etc.); see www.sanchobramble.weebly.com for details.
And included by special request of the venue, a mention for the
Electric Palace in Bridport - in case you fancy venturing for a day out further along the Jurassic Coast - www.electricpalace.org.uk - presenting some quality folk concerts, some featuring an act's only West Country gig; current programme includes: 23/4 Moulettes; 30/4 Fureys & Davey Arthur; 2/5 Dave Swarbrick & Friends; 15/5 Bella Hardy; 31/5 Sam Lee & Friends

Feature: Milverton Music Club
Somewhat distant but perhaps of interest to those in the NW of our coverage area, the Club has regular open mic sessions on the 1st Friday of every month except August, plus occasional guest nights, and meets at the Victoria Rooms, Fore St, Milverton, Taunton TA4 1JU (N of Wellington) www.milvertonmusic.co.uk/page2.html. 2014 guest nights:
Friday 18 July - Coope, Boyes & Simpson
Friday 17 October - Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman

On Exeter's Phonic FM 106.8 and online www.phonic.fm Mondays 6-8pm
Roots and Shoots with Martin Henning
The best in global and local music. Frequent live sessions from talented local and visiting musicians. See the show’s website http://rootsandshootsdevon.blogspot.co.uk. 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondays of each month | Jan 20 | Feb 3, 17 | Mar 3, 17, 31 | etc.
Common Ground with Martin Hodge - new in 2014
Exploring the rich folk music, songs and traditions of the West Country and the rest of the UK with occasional forays abroad. With informative and entertaining guests including some live music. Contact Martin via www.facebook.com/groups/commongroundonphonicfm/?fref=ts or email martin@phonic.fm. 2nd Monday of each month | Feb 10 | Mar 10 | etx.
Shenanigans with Karen and Kat
Shenanigans is presented by two chin-wagging musos with a weakness for caffeine. We will be playing indie, alternative, new wave and folk….finding those tracks you might not have heard but we know you will love! 4th Monday of each month | Jan 27 | Feb 24 | Mar 24 | etc.

Session News
Totnes: Bay Horse Inn, 8 Cistern Street TQ9 5SP (01803 862088, www.bayhorsetotnes.com)
Traditional Open Session: First & third Mondays of every month, 8.45pm – 11pm. Players and singers welcome.
Traditional Singing Session: Second & fourth Tuesdays of the month, 8.45 - 11pm. Exploring British folk.
Eli’s Open Session: Every Thursday, 8.45 - 11pm. Singer/songwriters, musicians, percussionists – all welcome.
Bluegrass Session: Second Sunday each Month, 8.30pm - 11pm. Players welcome.

New Venue for 2014: Starz Bar in Exeter - Exeter Folk Project
Gigs start in the New Year, downstairs in the lounge bar, all seated (55-60 seats). More at www.facebook.com/Exeterfolkproject. Location: 18 Lower North Steet, Exeter, EX4 3ET. The line-up to date: 23/1/14 Blair Dumlop; 20/2/14 Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar; 27/3/14 O'Hooley & Tidow

Crabshell Records Kingsbridge
We don't normally advertise this sort of thing, but Neil does a great job with Kingsbridge-based Crabshell Records ("Any money raised over expenses will be entirely dedicated to promoting live music of the tradition in and around Kingsbridge") , mostly involving local South Devon performers including Rumpus, The Old Gaffers, and The Storm, or his own previous events. See www.flaxey-green.co.uk/Pages/Publications.html for the lastest info (and also www.shamstrad.co.uk/crabshellrecords.htm).

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'South Devon Arts Centre' in Totnes
This not-for-profit community arts venue (whose patrons and friends include Jools Holland, Bob Harris and Sir Richard Branson) already has a massive programme lined up of top-class music of many genres, comedy, cabaret, theatre etc. and all ticketing details can be found at www.southdevonarts.co.uk. SDAC is located at The Stables, Ford Road, Totnes, TQ9 5LE (map) and has a maximum seated capacity of 190 (ground floor 110, gallery balcony 80), or 200 standing capacity ground floor. Plenty of free parking available close by. Licensed bar.

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North Devon/West Somerset music listings - Listings of regular and special music events for the above area can always be found at www.shammickacoustic.org.uk (then click on 'Local Events').

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Note to (potential) contributors - and readers:
The frequency of these e-circulars varies anywhere from approx. weekly up to fortnightly, driven essentially by work and personal priorities. Therefore, to give your event the best possible chance of inclusion (unless I forget! - has happened very occasionally), try to get your information to me at least a month in advance, preferably using the standard format I employ for most entries - see below - and preferably with a max. length of 50 to 75 words. Otherwise I have to edit text down to a reasonable length, and editing takes time! A Myspace (or similar) web link for music samples is a good idea too.

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Folk news slightly further afield:
Somerset & Dorset (SADFOLK) folk events
A regular and comprehensive emailed listing is available through www.sadfolk.co.uk (Somerset and Dorset folk) for folk events in venues large and small in those two counties, some of which are not too far away from the Harberton Folk area. Steve who runs this has over 800 contacts on his list.
North Devon www.shammickacoustic.org.uk - website listings
...and not forgetting www.flaxey-green.co.uk (and www.devonfolk.co.uk) for further detailed Devon listings, including many regular pub sessions,  folk dance clubs and much more.

1-2-1 Melodeon Tuition
Ed Rennie, lead tutor with the Devon Squeezebox Foundation, is currently teaching melodeon to a number of people on a 1-2-1 basis at their homes. The advantage from the students' point of view is the courses are tailored to their needs and progress at their pace and they get to stay at home in the warm and dry and Ed does all the running about in the cold and dark! Ed has a number of students he visits once a month in the West Dartmoor/Plymouth area (Mary Tavy to Saltash). He has capacity to take on some more students in the area, so if you would be interested to learn the melodeon at home with Ed, give him a shout at devonsqueezebox@hotmail.co.uk. Melodeon hire also available.

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A few notes about these listings - what gets listed, what doesn't... etc.
The listings primarily include 'folk' events, mostly of a concert nature, also folk club guest nights, folk workshops, ceilidhs / barn dances etc.
'Folk' of course means many things to many people so that's partly why I also include limited coverage of some Americana, blues and other acoustic music events, but also partly because there are dedicated people/venues in the area putting on top-class performers in these fields - and they take the trouble to send me information. (The 'other musics' will generally have shorter entries and fewer repeats.)
My preferred length for entries is 50-75 words, 100 words max. This length restriction, combined with a 'selection of events only', means that the overall length of each e-circular does not become excessive (and unduly sleep-inducing!). The full open-ended Diary is always available on www.harbertonfolk.co.uk.
If you're submitting stuff to me for inclusion, why not give a web link to online music samples? Most performers have them these days. And there's then a chance the reader will take a listen, perhaps like what they hear, and maybe even come to a gig they wouldn't have otherwise considered!
I don't include information about regular informal pub folk sessions or folk (social) dance club material - these areas are well covered by www.flaxey-green.co.uk and www.devonfolk.co.uk. - but I will list details of new sessions, for example.
The general distance qualifier has always been 'within 30 miles as the crow flies from Totnes' (covers a surprisingly wide range), although this does get stretched a little sometimes for items of potential wider South-West interest.
The e-circulars are sent to approx. 1400 folk-specific contacts (no telling of course how many fail to arrive for whatever reason, although I do my best to maintain the email list - several repeated rejections from the same address will result in that address being deleted)  The great majority of those contacts are within the above coverage area.
And please don't be offended if I occasionally forget - or even refuse - to include an item.
Keep enjoying the live music! - John Culf

New folk festival listing website
www.ukfolkfestivals.co.uk "tries to list almost every folk music festival in the UK" [and seems to do quite a good job]

An 'interesting' email problem
Those of you who read my recent notes about the various problems I experience when sending these e-circulars may be interested/amused to see a (new) rejection message received from a recipient at a local educational establishment. I have highlighted the offending word in bold/red and added spaces so it's not rejected again. This word appeared in the item about Hayseed Dixie:
Microsoft Antigen for Exchange found a message matching a filter. The message is currently Identified.
Message: "hf21_30 080226"
Filter name: "KEYWORD= racial discrimination: h i l l b i l l y"
Sent from: "John Culf"

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A Virus Warning - but please do read this, unlike the usual hoaxes that circulate which are simply designed to clog up the email airwaves:
"There is a dangerous virus being passed around electronically, orally, and by hand. This virus is called Weary-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from any of your colleagues, your boss, or anyone else via any means DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If you should come into contact with WORK, put your jacket on and take two good friends to the nearest grocery store. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolating-Neutralizer-Extract (WINE) or Bothersome-Employer-Elimination-Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system. You should forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends, you have already been infected."

'Virus' warnings - Chain emails (e.g. petrol prices) - Please avoid them
With 1400+ email contacts, if there's junk going around I usually see quite a few examples of it. If you receive a chain email, such as those that warn of a terrible virus circulating which will destroy your hard disk, do please take a moment to check before forwarding it to your entire address book. Pick out a couple of salient words and put them into Google, e.g. "olympic torch email", and you'll soon see that they are invariably hoaxes, simply designed to further clog up email servers across the globe. And whilst possibly originally well intentioned, the petrol price emails doing the rounds have essentially been around since 1999 - see http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_gas_boycott_2006.htm and read the analysis/comments.

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Other interesting local music links
Plymouth Classical Music Concert Diary www.plyclassical.co.uk - Comprehensive month-by-month listings of all types of classical music in and around Plymouth, plus some jazz and folk, including Harberton Folk's events.
Plymouth Music Accord www.plymouthmusicaccord.co.uk - Registered Charity promoting the appreciation and performance of music in the Plymouth area. Members include local orchestras, bands, choirs, opera groups, etc. and many promoters and venues, and Plymouth Folk Festival (who have a brand new, smart website).
'Off topic' but we'll mention a couple of other local live music sources for different genres:
Totnes Early Music Society www.totnesearlymusic.org.uk - fairly self-explanatory

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